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Gallows View

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Gallows View

Written by: Peter Robinson
Narrated by: Mark Honan
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Former London policeman Alan Banks relocated to Yorkshire seeking some small measure of peace. But depravity and violence are unfortunately not unique to large cities. His new venue, the quaint little village of Eastvale, seems to have more than its fair share of malefactors---among them a brazen Peeping Tom who hides in night's shadows spying on attractive, unsuspecting ladies as they prepare for bed.

When an elderly woman is found brutally slain in her home, Chief Inspector Banks wonders if the voyeur has increased the awful intensity of his criminal activities. But whether related or not, perverse local acts and murderous ones are combining to profoundly touch Banks's suddenly vulnerable personal life, forcing a dedicated law officer to make hard choices he'd dearly hoped would never be necessary.

©2009 Peter Robinson (P)2009 Tantor Crime Thrillers Fiction Mystery Police Procedural Suspense Thriller Thriller & Suspense Traditional Detectives England Crime Banking Detective
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What the critics say

"An extremely well-fashioned police procedural." ( The New York Times Book Review)
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This first entry in Peter Robinson's 'Inspector Banks' series is uncomplicated. The London PD Chief Inspector - transplanted to the more bucolic Eastvale, Yorkshire - discovers that there are grittier elements to his new environs. He finds himself simultaneously working the cases of a murder, a Peeping Tom with an escalating crime profile, and a teenaged B&E/Rape duo. The writing is capable, the plotting is intuitive, and the investigative techniques feel authentic.. but nothing particularly surprising happens, witness interviews feel scripted, and discussions of psychopathology are unoriginal. Overall, I was underwhelmed. The book is solidly "adequate".

Reader Mark Honan delivers a very professional performance.. but nothing particularly noteworthy, either. His diction, timbre & cadence, timing, and tone are capable enough - and Tantor Audio engineers provide creditable technical support - but Honan takes occasional deep sighs (avoid earbuds), and too often goes over-the-top with his character portrayals. Altogether, the delivery is distinctly "average".

Altogether, 'Gallows View' merits a respectable 7/10-stars. If you can get the recording as a 'Plus' selection, it's a reasonable way to spend a couple of quiet afternoons.. but better options beckon if they ask for a Credit.

Serviceable Straightforward Procedural

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I was hoping to find a good British crimes series to read but this was not particularly well written with stereotyped, uninteresting characters. Robinson’s fascination with the seamy side of things bordered on creepy.
Given that this was a first novel, and that the narrator was changed for subsequent books, I might try another one.

I don’t recommend it

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